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Handel - Overture from Music for the Royal Fireworks HWV 351
The Music for the Royal Fireworks (HWV 351) is a wind band suite composed by George Frideric Handel in 1749 under contract of George II of Great Britain for the fireworks in London's Green Park on 27 April 1749. It was to celebrate the end of the War of the Austrian Succession and the signing of the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748. The first performance, though judged a success, was marred by problems with fireworks, which misbehaved badly as a consequence of the wet weather. Neither did the rain prevent both the pavilion and an audience member's clothes catching fire!
This Hornpipe is the eighth movement from Handel's celebrated "Water Music" Suite in F major, written for a concert on the River Thames in 1717 at the request of King George I. Whilst the 3/2 time signature may not feel as familiar as other traditional hornpipes in 4/4 (see for example, the "Sailor's Hornpipe" or "Trumpet Hornpipe"), this was a common variant on the hornpipe form and remains well-known, for example in the Northumberland song "Dance to thy Daddy" and the variation set "Lads of Alnwick."
Felix Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" is one of the best known pieces from his suite of incidental music (Op. 61) to Shakespeare's play "A Midsummer Night's Dream." It is one of the most frequently used wedding marches, generally being played on a church pipe organ. It is commonly performed as the bridal party files out at the end of the service. It is frequently teamed with Richard Wagner's "Here Comes the Bride."
The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba comes from the third act of an Handel's oratorio 'Solomon,' based on the biblical stories of King Solomon. As the name suggests, it makes very effective entrance music for a wedding bridal party, though its fast tempo and tricky figuration demands a confident player.
Not well remembered today, Louis-James Alfred Lefébure-Wély (1817-1869) was, nevertheless, an important figure during his lifetime—a virtuoso player with a long association with master organ builder Aristide Cavaillé-Coll and composer of a large body of works. This 'Sortie' is (i.e. recessional or, literally 'Exit') makes for a suitably joyous accompaniment to the end of a celebration such as a wedding, its hints of fairground frivolity only adding to its charm.
Charpentier's 'Te Deum' (c. 1692) is a religious work in 11 movements, though nowadays it is mostly the celebrated 'Prelude' that is performed. An exhilarating work in D major, it is often heard in weddings, most commonly as entrance music even though its triumphant nature also makes it suitable as a recessional.
Handel's famous 'Water Music' was composed for King George I, who had asked for music for use on the River Thames. It premiered during a journey the King made on the river on 17th July 1717 and was so successful that the music was repeated several times during the day. This Air marks a moment of refection in what is often a very lively work. It is frequently played as guests arrive for a marriage ceremony.
The exhilarating final movement of Charles-Marie Widor's 'Symphony for Organ No.5' (1879), often referred to simply as 'Widor's Toccata' is amongst the best loved works for the instrument and particularly popular as a celebratory work for use on festive occasions such as weddings. It is had been notably popular at royal weddings, including, in Denmark, at that of Prince Frederick and Mary Donaldson in 2004; in Norway of Princess Märtha Louise and Ari Behn on in 2002; and in the UK at the weddings of Princess Margaret (1960), The Duke of Kent (1961), Princess Anne (1973), Prince Edward (1999) and, most recently, Prince William (2011).
